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Only items marked with (*) are averaged
into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

*Temperament

(1=Awful,10=Excellent)

*Scholarship

(1=Awful,10=Excellent)

*Industriousness

(1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)

*Ability to Handle Complex Litigation

(1=Awful,10=Excellent)

*Punctuality

(1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)

*General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters

(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)

*General Ability as a Trial Judge

(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)

Flexibility In Scheduling

(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

*Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation

(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)

General Inclination Regarding Bail

(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)

Involvement in Plea Discussions

(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)

General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage

(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage

(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage

(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

*Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation

(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)

Involvement in Settlement Discussions

(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)

General Inclination

(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

What others have said about
Hon. Lenore R. Gelfman

Comments

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD4500
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Judge Gelfman should NOT be the Administrative Judge. She is so biased towards the attorneys she likes and that affects the outcome of your family case, which is criminal to these poor children. The only people who responded positively about her are the attorneys that I just mentioned. They want to remain in her good graces. She could care less about the law or these defenseless children being placed in abusive homes.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD3009
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Gelfman uses her title as "Administrative Judge" to demoralize and berate anyone whom she feels she does not like. She does not listen to evidence and is swayed by the attorneys she knows. She uses her power to make unjust and illegal decisions. She needs to be off the bench.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD2090
Rating:9.4
Comments:
Some lawyers have a tough time with Judge Gelfman because she is no-nonsense on the bench. If you come into her courtroom well-prepared to try your case, she will reward you with an efficient trial where she has read the file and is prepared with the case law needed to make an appropriate ruling. I recently tried a contempt hearing before her on a fellow who had failed to pay his child support and alimony, despite making a six-figure income. Her ruling was a thing of beauty, not because I won, but because she was so well-prepared in citing each and every bit of relevant case law for everything she found and did. It was a master class in how to deliver a ruling in a contempt case. My firm ordered the transcript of her ruling for future reference - it was that impressive.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD1886
Rating:4.9
Comments:
Once one of Howard's best judges, Gelfman has become a big disappointment. She often has attorneys, litigants and witnesses waiting while she "has to take a call" or leaves the bench "to check on something." She can be sweet and caring one day, and absolutely vicious the next. If she is upset with counsel she frequently takes it out on the parties, although she never seems to be upset with the prosecutors, who are all her daughter's co-workers as her child is an assistant state's attorney. She seems burnt out and a bit power hungry and impressed with her own status as administrative judge. A few (10+) years ago she was wonderful, but she has been getting worse. It is time for her to retire.

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1347
Rating:9.9
Comments:
Have tried a number of cases in front of her. She is now the Administrative Judge in Howard County and it's always a pleasure to be in her courtroom. She spends a good amount of time trying to bring counsel together on a case with an eye toward an equitable settlement. But if the matter goes to trial, she is always punctual, well prepared, and respectful of the parties and their attorneys. I may not always agree with a ruling, but I know she's given it serious consideration

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD1268
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge did not review the case or the law prior to a hearing, she then accepted documents that were never provided to counsel prior to the day of trial and which were summaries of hearsay documents, and then she relied upon them. In my over 20 years experience, she was the most rude judge I have ever encountered, and unprofessional. It appeared that she had a relationship with opposing counsel, whom is located near the courthouse such that she was biased toward him and didn't even look at the facts of the case even after it was heard. She is not fit to sit on the bench. Her ruling was contrary to the facts and law of the case. It would appear that she is an anomoly in Howard County, as the other judges are not like this.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1264
Rating:10.0
Comments:
A pleasure to try a case in her courtroom. Always prepared and allowed us to fully try the case, with gentle prodding when necessary. Was always prepared and ready to listen to arguments on all sides

Civil Litigation - Private

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD847
Rating:9.2
Comments:
Don't often get to Howard County but was very impressed with entrial pre-trial and trial process. Judge Gelfman treated all attorneys and parties with respect and has a calm quiet demeanor that allows the trial to progress efficiently. She was always well prepared and we felt we had our full day in court before her.